Ex Cleveland Police Boss Cleared Of Intimidating Witness

20 December 2013, 16:50 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Former Cleveland police authority chief, Dave McLuckie, who was under investigation for corruption has been cleared of intimidating a witness.

The ex-chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, was accused of going to the home of witness Peter Blyth and saying: "You don't know what I can do.''

Mr McLuckie denied saying that and today a jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him not guilty after a three-day trial.

They also cleared him of an alternative charge of attempting to intimidate a witness.

Mr McLuckie said:
"I'm absolutely delighted that the jury came to the decision that they did and I would like to thank them all for that.

This has been a particularly horrendous year for me and my family. I'm glad it's over, on this occasion, and what I'll do now is go back home, have a night out with my family and have a good Christmas.''

Mr McLuckie is still on police bail in relation to the Operation Sacristy investigation, which is looking into police corruption.

Earlier this year the 52-year-old local councillor was jailed for eight months for persuading a friend to accept his speeding points to protect his career. He had nine points on his licence when he was caught speeding in 2009.

He asked family friend Maurice Ward to accept the points on his behalf, which only came to light after Mr Ward's death from cancer last year.